Bright Morning Stars: The Johnsons of Hemphill

Ethan Payne. 2021. 

Mabel and Gwen Johnson are pillars of their post-coal community in Eastern Kentucky. Faced with unspeakable obstacles, they pulled together and started a community center and a bakery. "Bright Morning Stars: The Johnsons of Hemphill" captures the essence of a community deeply intertwined with the coal mining industry, reflecting on the hardships, losses, and resilience of its people. Through personal narratives and reminiscences, it explores the multifaceted impact of coal mining on families, from the dangers faced by miners to the profound grief of losing loved ones in accidents. Despite the challenges, there's a sense of pride in their heritage and a longing for a way of life that shaped their identity. Alongside the tales of loss, there's also a narrative of hope and adaptation as the community comes together to preserve their history, repurpose old buildings like the school into a community center, and find new ways to sustain themselves beyond the decline of coal. The film delicately weaves together themes of nostalgia, resilience, and community spirit, leaving a poignant reflection on the enduring legacy of the coal mining era.

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